Walking Around the Pasar Besar (Big Market)

Today I wanted to go find some crafting materials and based on information from a very knowledgeable friend, we headed to the area of the Pasar Besar in one of the oldest areas of Malang.

This is one of my favorite areas to walk around to find remnants of the past in the architecture. I have loved old buildings my entire life and I feel certain that is the reason that I became an urban planner. There is something about a city that embraces it's architectural heritage that just makes it special. Malang is in a good position because, thankfully, there is quite a bit of the urban fabric left - it's just not always so easy to spot.

When I was growing up, the city of Asheville, NC was dusty, ignored, and largely abandoned. Now, after years of love and appreciation (and lots of hard work from both the city government and the community working together) Asheville is one of the top ten tourist destinations in the United States.

Call me a romantic, but I can just imagine Malang like Asheville - walkable streets, restored buildings, good food, diversity, and culture...will it ever happen? Who knows, but I do like to imagine!

Here are some photos of my walk today...

original facades - can you imagine the fixtures and tile flooring? 

Love this rounded place on the corner!

A famous roaster's historical location - so cool!

Feeling a little Frank Lloyd Wright-ish over this one

I don't know if you can see the railing, but it's 3D - lots going on with the articulation and design. I think it's my favorite of the afternoon!

I think that the rounded street corners must have been a thing once upon a time - I guess I should research it because there are quite a few around here

This building is just lovely! 

I'm fascinated with potential - maybe next time I'll focus on some of the beautiful buildings that have already been restored and renovated - until next time!

Salam Satu Jiwa!

Treasure Hunting

Many years ago in a land far, far away, I worked for my hometown's city planning department. Truth be told, it was the most rewarding and most challenging job I've ever had and even though I'm not involved in planning anymore, urban planning remains my passion.

In addition to traipsing around in the woods, I love to walk around in the older sections of the city of Malang to look for cool vestiges of the past. Malang was embraced and developed as a vacation and resort town during the colonial era and there are remnants of that time all over the place, especially buildings and private homes.

The central administrative area of Malang lies around this garden roundabout called the Tugu (the monument in the center; in this picture the amazing tree is in the center)

Tugu Malang (Central City)

It is a lovely place, but what strikes me the most are the trees! The trees are humongous and their branches stretch far over the sidewalks and roadways creating a canopy of green beauty. As a tree lover, it was good news to learn that the mayor issued a decree making it illegal to post signs on them.

Around the Tugu

It's not too hard to walk here - the sidewalks, where they exist, are clear and mostly free of obstructions. I've always been a big supporter of pedestrian rights and accessibility, so I will say again that there is so much more to see when we walk rather than riding in a car, on a motorcycle, or even on a bicycle. Walking is the best way to get to know a city and to see things that otherwise might be missed.

In the central city of Malang, there are markets, parks, historic buildings, and good places to eat. Sometimes it's hard to know where to go, but some rules of thumb are helpful: look for what you like (I like big trees so I'll head in that direction), ask locals and people for advice (people here seem to be proud of this fine place and know what's cool to experience), and watch where you're going (just because you're on the sidewalk or other place that is usually not frequented by vehicles on wheels doesn't really mean that much all the time)! 

An example of the kind of small road that draws me to the center

This one took my breath away - a surprise
on an afternoon walk!

Flower Market

Statuary viewed from the famed
Jalan Ijen

A fenced-off jewel, seemingly abandoned

A lush aisle, or "gang"

 Walking around the center city of Malang always yields something special - whether it's finding something unique and unexpected or finding exactly what you were expecting (lots of green, old architecture, and delicious pecel), walking is the way to see more and to experience more in the magnificent Bhumi Arema.

Salam Satu Jiwa!